Hale County Public Records /Hale County Divorce Records

Hale County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Hale County in 2026

HaleRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Hale County, Texas. Members of the public may find records pertaining to divorce proceedings, final decrees, case filings, and related court documents. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and spousal support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the date of filing and the nature of the case.

Divorce records in Hale County may be searched through official resources including the Hale County District Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section, and authorized online tools. The following sections outline all available search methods, applicable fees, and the types of documents members of the public may expect to find.

Online Searches

1. Hale County District Clerk Case Search

The Hale County District Clerk maintains divorce case files, as divorce proceedings in Texas are filed in the district court. Members of the public may contact the District Clerk's office directly to inquire about online case search availability. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document retrieval.

2. Texas State Court System

As noted by the Texas State Law Library's guide to court records, "Texas doesn't have a single database where you can search all court records for the state. Each court is responsible for keeping their own records." Members of the public are therefore directed to search at the county level where the divorce was filed.

3. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics — Divorce Verification

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of divorce records. Members of the public may obtain a divorce verification — confirming that a divorce occurred — through the Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records portal. A full certified copy of the divorce decree is obtained from the District Clerk, not from DSHS. The marriage and divorce indexes maintained by DSHS are compilations of records submitted by county and district clerks statewide and serve as a useful starting point for locating the county of filing.

Members of the public may also order vital records online through the official Texas.gov application for divorce verifications pertaining to events that occurred in Texas.

In-Person Searches

Hale County District Clerk — Family Law Division

Hale County District Clerk
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Hale County District Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed on state and federal holidays)
Services available in person:
- Search divorce case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating case information
- Review of docket entries and case chronology

Hale County Clerk — Vital Records

The Hale County Clerk maintains local vital records including birth, death, and marriage records. As identified by the Local Vital Record Offices listing maintained by Texas DSHS, the Hale County Clerk holds local vital records; divorce decree records are held by the Hale County District Clerk.

Hale County Clerk
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5220
Hale County Clerk

By Mail

Written Request to the District Clerk:

Mail to: Hale County District Clerk, 500 Broadway, Suite 140, Plainview, TX 79072
Include the following in the written request:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or date range
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name, mailing address, and contact information
- Purpose of request (required for certain record types)
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability.

By Phone

The District Clerk's office may be reached at (806) 291-5226. Staff may confirm the following by phone:

Whether a case exists in the system
Case number and filing date
Current case status
Names of attorneys of record

Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, certified copies, or confidential case information by phone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Texas may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate court motions, and obtain certified copies. The Texas State Law Library's children and family law resources provides guidance for both self-represented individuals and attorneys navigating family law proceedings.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of divorce
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year range
Case number, if known

Helpful Additional Information:

Date and county of marriage
Previous addresses in Texas
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in the Correct County

Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, a suit for divorce may be filed in the county where either spouse has resided for the preceding 90-day period, provided that one spouse has been a domiciliary of Texas for at least six months preceding the filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the county of filing may consult the DSHS marriage and divorce indexes to identify the county where the divorce was recorded.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in the system immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final decree is signed
Electronic filing systems update more rapidly than paper-based systems

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Some older records may not be digitized and must be retrieved manually

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings or search under the other spouse's name
Search the DSHS statewide divorce index for the correct county of filing
Consult the Texas State Law Library court records guide for additional search strategies

What Are Hale County Divorce Records?

Hale County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Hale County District Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law court file and are maintained by the Hale County District Clerk as the primary custodian.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete divorce case file contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court throughout the proceeding, including:

Petition for divorce (Original Petition for Divorce)
Respondent's answer and any counterpetition
Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
Parenting plans and child custody arrangements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Hearing notices and scheduling orders
Final Decree of Divorce

Final Decree of Divorce

The Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage is legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Spousal maintenance or alimony provisions, if any
Child custody and conservatorship arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce are available from the Hale County District Clerk and serve as the primary legal proof of divorce for purposes of remarriage, name changes, property transfers, and other legal matters.

Supporting Documents

Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
Financial disclosure documents and asset inventories
Property appraisals and business valuations
Parenting plan details and custody evaluation reports
Post-divorce modification orders, if applicable

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Documentation for legal name change proceedings
Property transfer and title documentation
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration and naturalization proceedings
Social Security and federal benefits determinations
Genealogical and family history research

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in Texas are governed by the Texas Family Code, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage. Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, insupportability — the equivalent of no-fault divorce — is the most common ground for divorce in Texas. Public access to court records, including divorce records, is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Public Information Act.

The Texas State Library's overview of county records notes that the District Clerk's office maintains records of civil court proceedings, including family law matters, as part of the permanent public record of the county.

Are Hale County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Hale County District Court are public court records under Texas law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and scheduling orders
Court orders and judgments, including the Final Decree of Divorce
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public filings pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c
Bank account numbers and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public filings
Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be restricted or sealed

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and related evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse records are subject to confidentiality protections
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected under Texas law

Sealed Records:

A court may seal divorce records upon a showing of good cause. Sealed cases are not accessible to the general public. Parties seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public access
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use such records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Hale County?

The Hale County District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 51.318, which governs fees charged by district clerks for court records.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Current Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy (per page)	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Certification seal	$5.00 per document
Search fee (if applicable)	Varies
Divorce verification (DSHS)	$20.00 per verification

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Electronic copies, where available, may be subject to the same per-page fee as paper copies
The DSHS vital statistics section charges $20.00 for a divorce verification ordered through the state office
Online orders placed through the Texas.gov vital records portal are subject to the DSHS fee schedule plus any applicable service fees

Accepted Payment Methods:

The Hale County District Clerk accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Hale County District Clerk. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the office prior to submitting a mail request.

Fee Waivers:

Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties in active proceedings upon submission of a sworn statement of inability to pay, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Fee waivers do not apply to third-party requestors seeking records for non-litigation purposes.

What Is Available at No Cost:

In-person inspection of public case files at the courthouse
Review of docket entries and case summaries at public access terminals
Basic case status information provided by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Hale County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Hale County District Clerk contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court from the date of initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings.

Basic Case Information

Case Caption:

Assigned case number
Court name and cause number
Full legal names of petitioner and respondent
Name of the presiding judge
Names and bar numbers of attorneys of record

Filing Information:

Date of original filing
Filing fees paid
Case type designation (divorce/dissolution of marriage)
Jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings

Original Petition for Divorce:

Petitioner's identifying information
Respondent's identifying information
Date and place of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce (insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001, or fault-based grounds)
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property and debts
Requests for spousal maintenance
Relief requested from the court

Respondent's Answer:

Admissions or denials of petitioner's allegations
Counterpetition for divorce, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties' income from all sources
Monthly living expenses
Inventory of assets: real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, personal property
Inventory of liabilities: mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card debt, other obligations

Discovery Documents

Tax returns for recent years (may be filed under seal)
Pay stubs and employer verification
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Business financial statements, if applicable
Written interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production and responsive documents

Property-Related Documents

Marital asset inventory with estimated values
Debt inventory with balances and creditor information
Real property appraisals
Business valuations and expert reports
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts

Children-Related Documents (If Applicable)

Parenting Plan / Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR):

Designation of managing conservator (legal custody)
Designation of possessory conservator (visitation)
Standard possession order or customized timesharing schedule
Holiday, summer, and vacation schedules
Transportation and exchange arrangements
Decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
Geographic restrictions on relocation

Child Support:

Child support calculation worksheet based on Texas Child Support Guidelines
Income information for both parties
Number of overnights with each parent
Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
Amount of support ordered and payment schedule
Income withholding order

Custody Evaluations (If Ordered):

Reports from court-appointed psychologists or social workers
Home study findings
Best-interest recommendations (may be restricted from public access)

Support Documents

Spousal Maintenance:

Type and duration of maintenance ordered
Monthly payment amount
Conditions for modification or termination
Applicable provisions under Texas Family Code

Settlement Documents

Final Decree of Divorce / Agreed Final Decree:

Complete resolution of all issues between the parties
Property division: real property, personal property, financial accounts, retirement accounts
Debt allocation between parties
Spousal maintenance terms, if any
Child conservatorship and possession orders, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Attorney's fees allocation
Name restoration, if requested
Judge's signature, date, and court seal

Mediated Settlement Agreement (If Applicable):

Terms agreed upon in mediation
Incorporated into the Final Decree of Divorce
Mediator's identifying information

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
Temporary restraining orders and injunctions
Agreed orders and stipulations
Final Decree of Divorce (primary judgment)
Post-judgment modification orders, if applicable

Post-Judgment Documents (If Applicable)

Petitions to modify conservatorship or child support
Court orders on modification proceedings
Contempt motions and enforcement orders
Income withholding orders
Liens filed against property for support arrearages

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c)
Financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health evaluation reports (restricted)
Substance abuse treatment records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Hale County?

Proof of divorce in Hale County is obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce from the Hale County District Clerk, or a divorce verification from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Certified Copy of the Final Decree of Divorce:

A certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce is the most comprehensive and widely accepted form of proof of divorce. It is issued by the Hale County District Clerk and bears the court's official seal.

Contact the Hale County District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 or visit in person at 500 Broadway, Suite 140, Plainview, TX 79072
Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce or case number
Pay the applicable certification fee (currently $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee)
Certified copies may be requested in person, by mail, or by phone with payment

Texas DSHS Divorce Verification:

For purposes that require only confirmation that a divorce occurred — rather than the full decree — members of the public may obtain a divorce verification from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. The Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records page states that "the fastest, easiest way to get a marriage or divorce verification is to order online, at Texas.gov."

Order online through the Texas.gov vital records portal
The current fee for a divorce verification is $20.00
Verifications confirm that a divorce occurred but do not contain the full terms of the decree

Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics

Members of the public who are uncertain which county holds the divorce record may consult the DSHS marriage and divorce indexes, which compile records submitted by county and district clerks statewide and can identify the county of filing.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Hale County?

Divorce proceedings in Hale County are presumptively public, but certain records or entire cases may be made confidential under specific legal circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:

A party may file a motion to seal records with the district court, demonstrating that the need for confidentiality outweighs the public interest in access, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a
Cases involving domestic violence may include sealed pleadings or redacted addresses to protect the safety of victims
Mental health evaluations, substance abuse records, and psychological assessments of children are subject to statutory confidentiality protections
Guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluations may be restricted from general public access by court order
Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record
Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all public filings under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c
High-profile cases may be sealed upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, though this is not routine

Members of the public seeking access to sealed divorce records must file a motion with the Hale County District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis. The court applies a balancing test weighing the requestor's need against the privacy interests protected by the seal. The Texas State Law Library's children and family law resources provides procedural guidance for parties navigating confidentiality issues in family law cases.

How Long Does Hale County Keep Divorce Records?

Hale County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Texas state records retention requirements applicable to district court civil case files.

Retention Periods:

Final Decrees of Divorce and permanent court orders: Retained permanently as part of the official court record
Complete divorce case files (active and closed): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the date of final judgment, with many records retained permanently
Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file for the same retention period
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; some documents may be purged after the minimum retention period if not incorporated into a final order
Records involving minor children: Retained until the youngest child reaches the age of majority plus the applicable retention period

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission establishes records retention schedules for county and district court records under the Texas Local Government Records Act. The Texas State Library's overview of county records provides additional context regarding the retention and preservation of district court records at the county level.

Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Hale County District Clerk directly to confirm availability, as some archived records may require additional retrieval time or may have been transferred to off-site storage.